Cole-Hamilton: Next FM must jump start Scottish dentistry.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today warned that the next First Minister must take immediate action to save NHS dentistry after a new devastating new survey of dentists revealed 59% of dentists say they have reduced the amount of NHS work they undertake since lockdown and 83% now say they will reduce - or further reduce - their NHS commitment in the year ahead.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“This is another devastating insight into the plight of Scottish dentists and their patients.

“Dentists are stopping offering NHS services because of the low rates they receive for NHS work and the barriers thrown in their way by Scottish Government ministers.

“Liberal Democrat research recently revealed that 1 in 5 of those who cannot get a dentist appointment decide to turn to unlicensed alternatives or perform dental work on themselves. That is a grotesque failure on the part of SNP ministers.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats believe that toothcare, like any other form of healthcare, should be universally accessible - not just for those who can afford to pay privately. Our party was instrumental in bringing forward free dental checks in Scotland, and in pressing for new dental schools to address dentist shortages, especially in more rural areas.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are now calling for the next First Minister to rewrite their government's NHS Recovery Plan to jump start Scottish dentistry and reform funding structures so that dentists can once again take on NHS patients.”